This strawberry goat cheese salad with romaine, red onion, and fresh basil is the perfect light dish for spring and summer. It’s bright, simple to prepare, and finished with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.
Fresh strawberries add sweet juiciness and a seasonal lift to salads. In this recipe, they pair beautifully with creamy goat cheese, crisp romaine, thinly sliced red onion, and aromatic basil. A simple balsamic and olive oil dressing ties the flavors together for a balanced mix of sweet, tangy, salty, and fresh.
Ingredients you’ll need
This salad uses a handful of straightforward ingredients—fresh, healthy, and easy to find.
- Lettuce: One large head of romaine (cos), roughly chopped for crunch and freshness.
- Strawberries: About 1 lb (450 g), quartered—choose ripe, juicy berries when in season.
- Red onion: ½ small red onion (or ¼ of a large), finely diced for a mild sharpness.
- Fresh basil: ¼ cup chopped basil leaves for bright herbal flavor (mint can be substituted).
- Goat cheese: ½ cup crumbled goat cheese for a creamy, slightly tangy element.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: 1 tablespoon to help emulsify the dressing.
- Balsamic vinegar: 3 tablespoons for sweet acidity.
- Salt & black pepper: To season to taste.
How to make strawberry goat cheese salad
This salad comes together in about 5–15 minutes. Follow these simple steps:
Prep the produce: Quarter the strawberries, chop the romaine, finely shred the basil leaves, and dice the red onion. Combine everything in a large bowl.
Add the goat cheese: Crumble the goat cheese over the salad, leaving a little aside for garnish if desired.
Make the dressing: In a jar or small container, combine the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Shake or whisk until the dressing is emulsified and uniform. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Dress and serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine, or serve the dressing on the side to keep the greens crisp. Enjoy immediately for best texture.
Customize your salad
This salad is very adaptable—try these variations:
- Swap the cheese: Use Danish feta, regular feta, or shaved Parmesan if you don’t have goat cheese.
- Add cucumber: Thinly sliced Persian or Lebanese cucumber adds extra crunch.
- Add tomatoes: A cup of halved cherry tomatoes is delicious when they’re in season.
- Add nuts: Toasted almonds or walnuts bring crunch and depth.
- Mix greens: Combine romaine with baby spinach, arugula, or mixed greens for more variety.
- Flavored goat cheese: Try herb, honey, or garlic-and-chive varieties for a different twist.
Add protein
To make the salad a complete meal, add one of these protein options:
- Grilled chicken: Slice 2 grilled chicken breasts and serve on top.
- Grilled steak: Sliced medium steak pairs well with the sweetness of strawberries.
- Grilled salmon: A salmon fillet makes this salad heartier and satisfying.
- Grilled prawns (shrimp): Cooked shrimp are a bright, quick protein addition.
- Crispy tofu: Air-fried or baked tofu works well for a vegetarian option.
How to store
For best texture, serve this salad immediately. If you need to prepare ahead, store the undressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days and keep the dressing separately. Dressed leftovers will become soggy but remain safe to eat within a day or two.
Recipe FAQ
No. Goat cheese is typically made from goat’s milk and is softer and often creamier, while traditional feta is usually made from sheep’s milk (or a sheep-and-goat blend) and has a firmer, tangier texture.
This salad is best eaten soon after assembling. If you need to prepare components in advance, keep the dressing separate and store the ingredients chilled; assembled salad will lose crispness over time.
Yes. Replace the goat cheese with a dairy-free cheese alternative or omit the cheese entirely; toasted nuts or avocado add creaminess without dairy.
More fruity salad recipes
Broccoli Crunch Salad
Mango Salmon Salad
Strawberry, Cucumber & Radish Salad
If you make this strawberry goat cheese salad or have questions, feel free to leave a comment or share how you adapted it. I love hearing about variations and serving suggestions.
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
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- Author: Caitlin Rule
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
This chopped strawberry goat cheese salad is a fresh and easy summer salad. Juicy strawberries, romaine, basil, and goat cheese are tossed in a simple balsamic dressing for a bright, balanced dish.
Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine (cos) lettuce, chopped
- ½ small red onion, finely diced (or ¼ of a large)
- 450 g (1 lb) fresh strawberries, quartered
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup goat cheese, crumbled
Balsamic dressing:
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Quarter the strawberries, chop the lettuce, shred the basil, and dice the red onion. Combine in a large bowl.
- Crumble goat cheese over the salad, reserving a little for garnish if desired.
- Whisk or shake together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently, or serve dressing on the side. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Best served fresh. Leftovers stored after dressing will become soggy within a day or two.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: By hand